Proposal

Name:

Enhancing Teaching using Field Labs in Environmental Analyses

FiscalYear:

2016

Audience:

Science, College of

Submitter:

Briggs, Tiffany Roberts

Budget Manager:

Blanchard, Dominique

Project Manager:

Root, Tara

Proposal Approvers

Dept. Chair:

Xie, Zhixiao

Local IT:

N/A

Dean:

Blanks, Janet

Facilities:

N/A

OIT:

Bagdonas, Joseph A.

Proposal Funding

Year 1:

$ 25,315.00

Year 2:

$ 0.00

Year 3:

$ 0.00

Total:

$ 25,315.00

Proposal Funding versus Average

Questionnaire

Narrative
Environmental issues, such as salt water intrusion, coastal flooding, algal blooms, and modifications to wetlands and flow within the Everglades, exert pressure on many sensitive Florida ecosystems. FAU is ideally situated where these critically important issues can be monitored, assessed and evaluated through environmentally-focused research and education. The Department of Geosciences has a strong commitment to providing its students with hands on practical experience to prepare them for the workforce by incorporating field- and lab-based activities into the curriculum. However, in order to sustain and continue expanding our field–based instruction we need to acquire field equipment. We propose to establish a suite of instrumentation for measuring environmental (field) water conditions to expand the Department’s strengths in field-based instruction and integrated research. The requested equipment supports the University’s Strategic Plan by both enriching the educational experience and inspiring research, scholarship and creative activity by increasing research inquiry and scientific methods in the Geosciences curriculum. The following are potential benefits to FAU students: 1) enhanced learning and comprehension of physical environments through hands-on measurement and monitoring of estuaries, wetlands, rivers, groundwater, beaches, and lagoons; 2) hands on field experience using the same type of equipment used in government agencies and private companies (e.g., monitoring water quality, water flow rates, and water depth); 3) experience analyzing and interpreting the types of data typically encountered in a number of environmental/physical scientist-types of careers; and 4) a comprehensive understanding of the variety of tasks they might encounter on the job from field work to data analyses to writing reports. The project will directly impact up to 300 students per year through implementation in and enhancement of the following courses: GLY 3730 – Coastal & Marine Science, 80 students per academic year. Students will measure and analyze aquatic parameters of different environments (e.g., lagoons, estuaries, beaches, etc.), strengthening students’ understanding of various spatial and temporal attributes of natural environments during a semester field trip. GIS 4037/5034 – Digital Image Analyses, 80 students per academic year. Students will collect data and complete their proposed class projects. GIS 4048 – Applications in GIS, 30 students per academic year. The breadth and accuracy of data collected on a field trip will be improved and integrated into building Mobile GIS skills and working with Spatial Interpolation. GLY 4822 – Hydrogeology, 30 students per academic year. Multiple sets of instruments will allow students to gain experience by collecting their own data for class projects, such as at the tech-fee funded wells located on the FAU preserve. GLY 4830 – Engineering Geology, 20 students every other year. Similar to practicing geologists, students will use water level and velocity meters to collect data related flood and erosion control during a field trip. GIS 6127 – Hyperspectral Remote Sensing, 20 students per academic year. Students will collect data and complete their proposed class projects. EVR 6358 – Restoration Implementation and Management, 10 students per academic year. Students will measure and monitor physical conditions within local restoration areas. GLY 6578 – Beach Morphodynamics of Southeast Florida, 15 students every other academic year. Students will accurately measure hydrodynamic parameters (such as flow velocity, temperature, and salinity) needed for models of the beach environment. GLY 6737 – Coastal Environments, 15 students every other academic year. Students will expand their field analyses of various coastal environments to include variability of water conditions (integral to littoral processes) and influences on water quality. GLY 6838 – Methods in Hydrogeology, 12 students per academic year. Multiple sets of instruments for this class will eliminate a significant amount of down-time during field exercises, which focus entirely on field techniques used by practicing hydrogeologists. GLY4905, Directed Independent Studies, 12-15 students per academic year. Student projects with Dr. Briggs all relate to data acquisition and/or analyses of one or more coastal environments. Projects with Dr. Root all involve the collection of basic water quality and water level data (but the one set of equipment that Dr. Root has may not always be available when they need it). Adding the capability of measuring and monitoring water conditions over space and time will greatly enhance the opportunities for students to conduct undergraduate research and successfully complete DIS projects each year. Many other Geosciences faculty members conduct DIS with students, which could also incorporate projects using the proposed equipment.
Facilities
No facilities renovations or upgrades will be required; The Dept. of Geosciences has extensive resources to support projects associated with the proposed equipment, including lab space and computer/classroom facilities for research and education.
Hardware Requirements
No purchase of new computer hardware or updates to existing computer hardware are required for this project. The following hardware are requested: Multiparameter water quality meter & probe $1,300 x 4 = $5,200 Flow meter (and accessories) Handheld and sensor $5,100 x 2 = $10,200 Wading rod $1,075 x 2 = $2,150 pH standards $140 electrode storage sln $50 conductivity standard $60 DO membrane caps $185 DO electrolyte $60 1 set spare probes $710 Extra thumbscrews $10 Water level tape $520 x 4 = $2,080 Secchi disk kit $140 x 4 = $560 Turbidity tube (and accessory) Transparency tube (120 cm) $60 x 2 = $120 Replacement stopper $20 x 2 = $40 Pressure transducer (and accessories) Pressure transducer $400 x 4 = $1,600 Direct read cables $90 x 6 = $540 App interface $360 x 2 = $720 Barologger $300 x 2 = $600 Data grabber $190 Well cap $25 x 4 = $100 Total $25,315
Software Requirements
No new, or updating of, software are required.
Personnel Costs
None.
Other Costs
None.
Timeline
Instantaneous and continuing.
Sustainability
The anticipated life expectancy of the equipment is five years or more. With the spare parts and maintenance, water conditions/quality projects could be extended.
Resource Matching
The Dept. of Geosciences maintains teaching and research computer labs with approximately 100 computers that support various software programs for educational and research activities.
Implementing Organization
Dept. of Geosciences, College of Science. Faculty: Tiffany Roberts Briggs & Tara Root

Proposal Budget

Fiscal Year 1 Fiscal Year 2 Fiscal Year 3 Total
Hardware One-Time $ 25,315.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 25,315.00
Hardware Recurring $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Software One-time $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Software Recurring $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Personnel One-time $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Personnel Recurring $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Other One-time $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Other Recurring $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Totals $ 25,315.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 25,315.00

Supporting Documentation

Filename Size Description
120 cm transparency tube.pdf 231,177b Turbidity tube
L2568 rev6 - Flow meter.pdf 439,176b Flow meter
Pressure_Transducer-solinst_junior_edge_spec.pdf 287,490b Pressure transducer
Solinst Model 101 P7 Probe Water Level Meters.pdf 282,361b Water level tape
Watermark Professional Secchi Disc Kit.pdf 289,131b Secchi disk kit
YSI ProPlus Multiparameter Meter, handheld, waterproof.pdf 176,777b Mulitparameter water quality meter & probe